With three games to go, the Premiership and finals places are still well up for grabs in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Only four points separate third to seventh with teams in eight and ninth both having played one match less.
Blacktown Spartans v Football NSW Institute
Two teams recovering from defeats clash at Blacktown Football Park as the Blacktown Spartans host Football NSW Institute.
The Spartans led on Sunday before being shocked by the Tigers and losing their first game after four without defeat.
The chasing pack is breathing down their necks and they can’t afford to drop points because an Institute win will see the young side jump their rivals on the ladder.
It was never going to be easy for the Institute on Sunday but when they took the lead, they seemed on the right path.
They were pegged back and their fine run also came to an end.
A win could push them into second, a defeat, would mean they will find it difficult to secure a finals place.
Manly United v Bankstown City
At Cromer Park, bottom placed Bankstown City take on Manly United.
Manly sit in equal third but fifth on goal difference and need both a win and as many goals as they can muster.
The race for finals could potentially come down to goal difference and with the fire power Manly possess, they’ll feel confident.
A sorry campaign got worse on Sunday for Bankstown, letting their lead slip to lose against the Jets.
This week will be tougher away at United.
Emerging Jets v Macarthur Rams
At Lake Macquarie Regional Football facility, the Emerging Jets welcome the Macarthur Rams.
Bouncing back from a big come from behind victory last week, confidence is high at the Jets.
A win on Sunday could see them move above their opponents and start bridging the gap with other sides in front of them.
The Rams went down again on Sunday, their fourth straight loss.
Finals are out of reach but it will be important to finish the season as best as possible and the return of Kylie Ledbrook will be a huge boost to the team.
Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt
At Peter Moore Field, Sydney Olympic will host APIA Leichhardt in a blockbuster match.
Olympic still have hopes of mounting a Premiership charge but will need to take all three points in this one.
Defeat on Sunday though was a major setback in their pursuit of Uni and a loss here will more or less gift Uni the Premiership.
After four winless games, APIA jumped back on the winner’s wagon.
A win on Sunday will see them leapfrog Olympic and come a step closer to consolidating a finals place.
Northern Tigers v Illawarra Stingrays
The Northern Tigers and Illawarra Stingrays clash at North Turramurra Rec Area on Sunday.
It was the Tigers that kept their finals hopes alive with a special comeback win last weekend.
They’ll need to repeat it to really throw their name in the hate.
The Stingrays suffered a fairly heavy defeat, pushing them away from a finals place.
This really is a six pointer for these two with the loser almost definitely missing out on finals football.
NWS Koalas v Sydney University
All eyes will be on Christie park in the match of the round as first placed Sydney University travel to take on the North West Sydney Koalas.
The Koalas continue to improve every week and thus their rise up the ladder.
With a result still to come against Macarthur and a fine win last week, they enter this one full of confidence against the league leaders.
The Champions’ run continues, 28 and counting.
A win here puts them ever closer to the Premiership and they’ll look to wrap it up as soon as possible.
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By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer